My husband is a complete beginner crocheter and he is working on his first project: a Giant Granny Square blanket. He has been a gem about letting me share his progress with you and although he is vocal about his embarrassment, I know that he is secretly pleased about your encouraging comments.
His blanket is halfway done now, so I have decided that I have given him enough time to get used to being “shared” sneakily on Social Media. I will now share his progress more publicly (provided that he gives me permission, of course).
This is Christiaan (Mr. Lookatwhatimade). Don’t drool too much!
In August 2014 I taught him how to crochet using Petals to Picots’ Granny Square Pattern, a Pony crochet hook, and Stylecraft Special Dk yarn (didn’t want him wasting my expensive yarn if he tanked)! Plus, I have a tonne of Stylecraft left from the Block a Week CAL last year.
To my amazement he didn’t only manage it, but managed it well. True that crochet granny squares are the best thing for beginners to learn on, but his tension was spot-on from the get-go.
What we soon realized is that the pattern, although perfect for granny squares, buckled when he tried using it for a continuous giant granny square blanket. That is most probably a case of “user error”. So I went and undid one of my granny’s granny squares and followed her pattern for his giant granny blanket.
I also bought him his own stash of Stylecraft Special Chunky from Deramores. This was the last progress photo I took. He has since added 2 more coloured bands (so 6 rounds in total).
Once I could see that it wasn’t just a fad and he would actually continue with his blanket, I (most graciously) allowed him to use one of my Clover Amour Crochet Hooks
Here you can see him casually hooking away while watching sport and drinking beer (to reinforce his masculinity). Don’t you just love the Ninja Turtles pajama trousers the boys got him for Christmas?
The tatty Rainbow blanket bundled up in the first photo was one of the very first things I crocheted using Hayfield Bonus Dk yarn. I can remember how horrified both of us were at me spending £10 on yarn (we were flat broke at the time). I made it for Number 2 (Jaco) and it is well-loved, well-used, and well-pilled.
The blanket over his lap in the second photo is my Lazy Waves blanket, made with Stylecraft Special Dk. (Personally I prefer the Stylecraft to the Hayfield, because it feels nicer – and it is cheaper as well.) The Lazy Waves blanket is visible in the background of most of our casual family photos because it is USED. ALL. THE. TIME.
Crochet is such hard work.
If Mr. Lookatwhatimade behaves himself (and completes this blanket), I will allow him to use some of my Scheepjeswol. If he DOES, I lose some yarn, but he will be an official “crocheter”. If he DOESN’T, I will be disappointed, but I will get to keep all my yarn to myself. Win-win either way, I think.
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Carol D says
Oh my Dedri! You are fortunate that Mr. LookatwhatImade is also crocheting – means he better understands your obsession with the hooky art!
I had to stop a bit after reading that post – and wipe my chin and computer – He IS truly easy to look at. I might add, at my age, I rarely even ‘see’ good looking men…this one DID catch my attention! Good for you! You deserve nothing less. You are not exactly difficult to look at, either!
And looking at his eyes, I see a very sincere man! I’m betting he takes good care of you – and your beautiful son – and wow! crochets on top of that! He is DEFINITELY a keeper!
I really enjoyed this post. It’s nice to get a sneak peek into your home life….and I see that you are the truly beautiful person I’ve seen all along…inside and out!
Thank you again for all your help!
Lorry says
Hubby is a handsome hooker
Wendy says
Good for the hubs! When my husband moved in (before we were married), we were going to knit a blanket together – I’d knit some squares, he’d knit some squares. Trouble was, of course, he didn’t know how to knit. I tried to teach him. That lesson lasted maybe 10 minutes. Needless to say, the blanket did get finished, and there are perhaps a row of stitches knit by him . . . but that’s about it. You had probably better get a padlock for your stash though!
Lori Kirkland says
Your Mr is doing a great job!!! He is a very handsome “Hooker”! Keep up the good work Mr Look What I Made!!! Now you have more reasons to keep your yarn stash supplied since there are two of you crocheting!
Have a wonderful day!
sabrina says
Your husband is doing a fantastic job on his first project!! My most cherished afghans were made by my father. He was a drill sgt. in the Army!! His mother crocheted all the time. My father learned how to crochet when he was retired around the age of 60. He crocheted continuously. He made afghans for everyone he knew!! He said it was so relaxing and very rewarding. He wished he had learned to crochet sooner. I use the afghans he made for me all the time. They have been greatly loved for over 20 years. Tell your husband I can not wait for his first CAL :)
Ramona says
Great job Christiaan! I love it when a couple shares a hobby. My Man loves to go junkin’ as much as I do. We both ride horses, fish and hunt together. It’s great to be able to enjoy things together.
That is a fantastic picture of your 2 guys napping together. Your son is precious.
Ramona from MIssissippi
Paddy Balsdon says
Great stuff. Men traditionally knitted the beautiful Aran jerseys in Ireland – fishermen, so there is a long tradition of men doing hand craft stuff. In Madeira men embroidered along with the rest of the family when the seasons changed. So, men need to realise what a soothing, relaxing hobby crocheting or knitting can be. Geniet Christiaan
Bonnie says
My mother told me that my grandfather (her father) crocheted. A fact I forgot until I found out hat happened to him (he disappeared from the family before I was born). When I found out what ultimately happened to him, I wrote a letter to the editor of the newspaper in the town where he is buried, asking if anyone had known him and I would like to know more about him. A rather fabulous gentleman answered the letter and wrote directly to me. He was my gf’s social worker when he asked from old age help. Turns out he had forgotten his family’s names, only that he had married daughters and could not remember their married names. This was back in the 1950s and research then was not as easy as it is in the digital age. In his letter he told me that my gf crocheted doilies to sell and save the money for his burial.
Bonnie says
Please forgive the typos.
Tess says
I know you are oh so proud to be rubbing off on him… Beautiful work Mr Lookatwhatimade :)
~Tess
Erin says
Looking great. I love the colors! When I make a Granny Square, I don’t chain between the groups and I chain 3 in in the corners, and I don’t turn the project. I have never had a problem with buckling. What is your secret to getting your husband to crochet. I keep offering to teach my husband, but he always declines.
Jenny says
I wish I could get my beloved interested in at least giving it a go. He has no interest at all :)
Linda says
He’s a born crocheter – and I’m jealous because it took me almost a year and a half to get my stitches as even as his are now! (and yes, my grandmother started me out on granny squares)
Dedri Uys says
Linda, I think it took me quite some time too :)
julia says
I do so love a man who can climb out of male barriers! Good for you. Love your crochet too. Wonderful you. Wonderful!
Suzie says
Great work by Mr. Lookatwhatimade, how did he keep it from buckling – what was the secret of your granny’s granny? lol. My giant grannys never look nice and flat.
Mary says
Hi Dedri, I so enjoy your blog, Fb page and lovely patterns! You open a window to the beautiful English countryside and generously share your skills and adventures. Thank you also for sharing Christiaan’s crochet journey in the most delightful way :) I showed my newly retired hubby and he was actually quite interested but I think he needs to perfect his culinary skills first. I’m rather enjoying a break from cooking after 35 years. Love the big granny blanket of Christiaans, I’ll just wait for the tip against ruffling you mentioned :) blessings to you and your family.
Dedri Uys says
Lucky girl being cooked for! You are right. You enjoy the crochet and let him do the cooking :) There is no tip, we just changed to 1 chain between clusters instead of 3. I don’t know why it buckled, it just did. He is also turning at the end of every round to prevent the square from twisting as so many giant grannies tend to do.
Klaine says
Handsome guy and wonderful blanket! My boyfriend is not interested in crafts, but that is how it is.
I think it is great when men do crafts. Why should it be reserved for women?
Thumbs up!
Sandra says
He is good at this !
I’d like my boyfriend to crochet, to share at least one hobby with him, but he thinks this is boring. He is more into robots than yarn.
Tell your husband he did great !
Dedri Uys says
Sandra, get him to crochet a robot…
Lorelie (Googz) Leeson says
Wow what wonderful efforts — must rekindle my crochet passion :)
Corine24 says
“I will allow him …” made me laugh. The blanket looks great!
Dedri Uys says
Hehe. I am very bossy, but people don’t realize that he is actually the boss of me. The only area where I am the boss is crochet and yarn. Oh…and deciding if the kids are just minorly ill or need to go see a doctor. He just looks at me blankly and trusts what I say then.
Charlotte Huffman says
Good looking and crochets too! He’s a keeper!
Dedri Uys says
Lol. Yup. And he’s funny too :)
Kara says
He did great!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Kara. He found your chart extremely helpful. Once he knew (visually) what he had to do, it was a lot easier to explain it to him ;)